Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is correct. That is certainly what the Department, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and I want to achieve. A multi-annual programme is in place to assist bringing resolution in respect of DPI. Such infrastructure is a temporary short-term solution that dragged. We are conscious that the issues with DPI need to be resolved from the point of view of the environmental benefits to the communities and the future development of places such as Crossbarry. We are committed to resolving these issues. Our understanding is that the expert panel will make its final submission on the specific application and the Minister will be in a position to make a decision on that.

It is important that Uisce Éireann is on board with these proposals because they offer a longer term solution for the estates we have mentioned and for places such as Crossbarry that need to develop, evolve and move on. DPI offers a temporary solution. From an environmental point of view, DPI is far from ideal. It is critically important that the issues relating to it are resolved.

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